London - Very First Things to Do!
 

In my opinion here is what the first-time foreign traveler to London should do after recovering from jet lag.

1- At the airport buy an Oyster Card that will give you automatically the cheapest form of transport on the Tube and buses - a no-brainer for anyone in London more than a day or so IMO. If taking the Tube in use it right a way (from Heathrow - no Tube from Gatwick)

2- Take a ride on the London Eye, a huge Ferris Wheel on the South Bank of the Thames as it will give you a bird's eye view of the greater London area - great way to orient yourselves to the lay of the London. there are maps in each capsule pointing out all the famous and not so famous landmarks like the Tower of London, Saint Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, etc.

3- Take a leisurely walk along the South Bank walking path along the Thames - opposite it on the northern bank of the Thames you'll see so so many famous landmarks like st Paul's, the Tower, etc. This is an extremely popular strolling venue for Londoners and there are pubs and cafes along it as well as the famous Tate Modern Art Gallery in an old power plant Thameside. The South Bank walk from the London eye Ferris Wheel to the Tate Gallery is just a few miles or less. When you reach the Tate Modern (pop in for a bit - it's free, like many major London museums! - from its upper level cafe/tea room you get also great views over the Thames and London. Once at the museum stroll across the Millennium Bridge, a pedestrian span that from its middle yields a neat view down and up the Thames.

Well that should whet your appetite to further explore one of the world's most fascicnating and unique cities - knowing a bit of the lay of the London!

Any other ideas of what to do right away in London?

Don't forget popping into a pub and having a pint :)

Actually Dragon that is the FIRST thing I do when reaching London.

Agree with idea of walking on first day there. I walked from British Museum to City and then on to St Paul's on my first day.

Where would you start and stop the walk you mention above? I'll sheepishly admit to not ever having been to the South Bank.

I may be there end of month.

Go night fishing
Anyone can dangle their rod in the pond on Clapham Common, but check in advance to make sure there are no competitions taking place.

Be careful with gledamay's advice. There are parts of Clapham Common where dangling your rod has quite another meaning.

Patrick hahahahaha!

It's the angle of the dangle that is important in angling.